Another Newsletter Photo Op

Christian made it into the school newsletter again this month. The day of the photo, they put mousse in the kids' hair ... and made Christian's all spikey.

Wordless Wednesday - March 2, 2011

An Encore Performance

After last night's extravaganza, we were hopeful about today. Chrsitian woke up with a dry diaper, but despite our best efforts, we coudn't get him to pee before school. Reluctantly, I sent him to school in underwear. 45 minutes later, he had an accident and wasn't bothered enough by it to tell his teacher.

After his nap this afternoon, I encouraged him to try again - without success. Jonathan got home and took over the "pee watch." As we were eating dinner, Christian got up to wander around and we kept asking if he needed to go pee pee and he declined each time.

However, eventually, he made his way over to me and said, "Go pee pee." I reached for the "red cup" and he started pulling down his underwear ... we knew success was near! Christian quickly headed towards our foyer, where he peed in to the cup last night. Jonathan followed, and within moments, the urine was flowing.

AN ENCORE PERFORMANCE!

Hope it happens again tomorrow ... and the next day ... and the next day ... ! :)

At last ... SUCCESS!! Yay for the Red Cup!

On Friday, the powers that be at Christian's school decided that since he's been staying dry at school, he could visit the coveted preschool room. I reminded them that he's not actually going potty, and so our potty training is not actually working. But, they are satisfied that he's staying dry. So he got to spend about an hour and a half with the preschool class.

So, Friday evening, we decided we were going "cold turkey" on the potty training. And that meant underwear all the time - except at bedtime and naptime (no need in interrupting successful slumber!). And I also declared that while we were "out and about," we'd use pull-ups. However, Jonathan reminded me that we really need to be using underwear - even when out and about.

On Friday, we went out to eat and Christian had no accidents. Saturday we went to a town about 45 minutes away, and had lots of fun, and had no accidents. Yesterday, we went to a bookstore and lunch and remained accident free.

At home wasn't so accident free, so we spent all of our time at home focused on potty time. And if Christian wasn't focused, we sure were ... always watching his underware for signs of wetnesses. Always asking if he need to go pee pee. Always waiting for an accident.

It was frustrating. He'd hold his urine for hours, and we'd KNOW he has to go ... and then we'd hang out on the potty and nothing would happen. Put the underware back on him, and he'd go.

Today was Muffin Monday and Jonathan braved a morning of the outside world with Christian in underwear. They went to several places today, and Christian stayed dry. They came home and convinced that Christian was going to go pee any minute, Jonathan stayed with him like white on rice.

We've got a "red cup" (a small red pitcher) that Jonathan keeps nearby in case Christian starts to go. Jonathan was either in the potty or watching Christian like a hawk ... for a LONG TIME. So long, in fact, that I suggested we just put a pull-up on Christian so he'd go (he hadn't peed all morning, so we KNEW he had a full bladder). At long last ... at long, long last, Christian started going pee and Jonathan captured it in the red cup.

So we praised Christian like crazy and gave him chocolate chips. Our motto, after all, is "chocolate for pee pee.

But, wait ... the success doesn't end there!!

Between waking up from naptime and dinner, Christian hadn't peed. After dinner, we were playing around - ever watchful to see when Christian indicated he might be ready. I was out of the room when Jonthan whistled for me to come.

And here's what happened:

Christian, "Want to go pee pee."

Jonathan, "Oh, okay!"

Christian, "Pull down my underware."

Jonathan pulls it down.

Christian, "Get the red cup"

Ever handy, Jonathan positioned the red cup ... and Christian peed in the red cup!

AT LAST! He recoginzed he had to pee, he told us, and he peed. He actually peed!

I can't tell you how absolutely thrilled we were!! He got lots of hugs and kisses and praise ... and of course chocolate chips!!

We are VERY HOPEFUL that this evening marks the beginning of continued success.

YES YES YES YES YES!!!

Muffin Monday - Homestyle!

One of the many reasons Jonathan and Christian go out for Muffin Mondays is that I'm at home working.

Today I had a Dr. appointment way out in Scottsdale (now there's a long drive!), and since I wasn't home, it was "Muffin Monday - Homestyle!"

My men did some arts and crafts together and then went and climbed a mountain and played in dirt and rocks. Boys will be boys! :)

Potty Training Update

Last week's surprising potty time got us all pumped up for full-blown potty training. We were certain it meant good things were coming our way, and our patience would soon be rewarded.

We spent lots of time in the bathroom this weekend - one and off the potty.

We even bribed our young son with ... chocolate. Yes, we are who are opposed to our child having sweets, bribed him with chocolate. Our new mantra: "Chocolate for pee pee!"

Jonathan managed to catch some of Christian's urine in a cup (after sitting on the toilet forever with no action, Christian moved to the floor and let if flow within minutes - Jonathan was watching like a hawk and caught it), and as such, we rewarded Christian with chocolate chips.

And we hoped that was the beginning.

Not so much.

We keep a potty in the living room in front of the TV, hoping we can convince him to use it. I walked into the living room, and found he'd poured a bunch of powder in the bowl (which was dry and clean), and had been playing in the powder.

We'll, at least he's using his Elmo potty! :)

Yesterday we started putting him in underwear at school. His teacher suggested it, and said all the kids have accidents, so it is fine. I was hesitant, but tried it yesterday and he stayed dry all morning.

Same thing today - dry all morning.

So, after school, we rush home and spend some more time on the potty. Earlier this week, a couple of drops escaped, and Christian was confused, "Get some paper" he told me. I praised him like crazy and told him that was pee pee ... and to pee some more. But he just didn't get it.

I gave him a chocolate chip anyway ... a couple of drops count!

So we'll keep working on it.

Muffin Monday - February 14, 2011

Today's Muffin Monday took my boys to "Five and Diner," one of those fun throwback to the 50s diners.

After breakfast, the boys went to a nearby bowling alley. It was "Senior League Day" and so the place was filled with elderly ladies oohing over Christian. He did get a bit cranky that he couldn't roll a ball, too ... but overall, the boys had a fun time!

Date Night with an Exciting Twist

Last night Christian's school hosted another "Parents Night Out." So Jonathan and I dropped off Christian at school with on of his favorite teachers, Miss Mandee, and headed out for an evening of sushi and adult conversation.

We picked him up, and as we were walking out, the conversation went like this:

Mandee, "Oh, and Christian went potty."

Me: "Oh, he said on the potty ... good!"

Mandee: "And he went potty."

Me: "You mean he sat there."

Mandee, "No, he peed."

Me: (silence. She must have the wrong child. Christian will not pee in the potty)

Mandee: "I took them all in there, and he peed."

Me: "My Christian? MY Christian peed in the potty??"

Mandee (with a confused look): "Yes ..."

(I pointed to Christian, thinking maybe she had him confused with another child)

Me: "We've been trying to get him to go potty for months, and he won't ... for ANYBODY. He turned three in November, but can't move up to the thee year old class until he's potty trained."

Mandee: "Well, he peed! And he got all excited because he made bubbles!"

(and then I knew she was right, for Christian gets very happy about bubbles)

Me: "How did you do it?????"

Mandee: "Well, I have a boy myself. So I just stood Christian up right in front of the potty and potty and leaned up against him a little so he'd stand there ... and he did it."

(I just stood there in amazement).

So we praised Christian like crazy!!! It is too bad Mandee didn't know it was his first time, or she could have praised him like crazy, too.

So we got home, and Christian told me "go poo poo on the potty" (which he says from time to time ... just means he'd like to go sit there, which is fine by me!). And he's walking funny towards me ... so I'm assuming maybe he pooped (every once in a while, he'll walk funny when he's poopy).

But I looked down, and his pants were all wet. His pull-up must not have been on properly. So his pants were wet and he didn't like it! YES!!!! YES!!!! We've tried the "hanging out in just underwear" scenario in the past, but when he's gotten wet, he doesn't mind. And now he minds!!!

So today's strategy is to tell him to "pee and make bubbles" and I'll put him in underwear and a pair of pants (to catch most of the urine).

GOOD LUCK TO US! I HOPE WE'RE ON THE PATH TO POTTY TRAINING NOW!

Sleeping Problems

Ah ... naptime/beditme. Used to be so easy. We'd put Christian in bed, read a book or two, stay goodnight and walk out of the room, closing the door behind us.

We didn't know how good we had it.

As I've mentioned in a previous post, Christian's latest thing has to pile everything up on his bed.

Here he is ... with the CHAIR in his bed. I had to point him out with an arrow, or else you'd never see him among all his stuff.

Needless to say, I've taken A LOT of stuff out of his room in the past few days. And he's not even missed it.

Here he is with a jack-in the box that he fell asleep holding:

For several nights, Christian had been getting up and coming to the door after I left (naptime) and after Jonathan left (bedtime). He would just stand in his doorway. Sometimes he'd say something ... other times he'd stand there in silence, waiting for somebody to come back.

For Tuesday's afternoon nap, Christian fell asleep in the doorway! So, I brought out an air filter to run near his head to drown out any noises - like the doorbell, Bella walking by, etc. And he slept there all afternoon - holding onto his toy snake.

He fell asleep in the doorway yesterday, too.

A friend suggested that perhaps bedtimes are so difficult because Christian still naps in the afternoon. However, Christian doesn't have a problem going to bed ... he has a problem with being in the room by himself. Something changed with him recently, and we're not too sure what. The moment Jonathan leaves the room, Christian gets very upset.

I mentioned this situation to a couple of teachers at school, and they suggested that Christian might be feeling insecure all of a sudden ... and commented that he's at an age where children become more aware of the world around them and start to fixate on things and worry. They suggested we try to just make him feel safe and secure.

So what we've been trying for the past three days and nights is to step out of his room for a few minutes, ask him to stay in bed, and tell him we'll be back in just a few minutes. That way, he trusts that mommy or daddy will be back ... and he is safe. We do this several times to assure him we're always available. And we ask him if he wants to door open or shut - and he says open (whereas we've always shut the door).

And I'm happy to report our efforts are working. He's been staying in bed (or, at least in his room - and falling asleep in the doorway in the afternoons).

As a matter of fact, this afternoon, he has finally fallen asleep in his bed.

Wordless Wednesday - February 9, 2011

Muffin Monday, February 7, 2011

Musical Muffin Mondays are now a thing of the past. We're back to just good ol' "Muffin Mondays."

Today, after Christian's dentist appointment (thank goodness we only have those every six months!), Jonathan and Christian ventured out to the airport for some airplane viewing.

My Goodness, It's Cold!

Yes, it does get cold here in the Phoenix area. There have been freeze warnings all week. We've got the lemon tree all strung with Christmas lights and a frost blanket on top ... and we're hoping for the best with our ficus trees (which are tall and a pain to cover, uncover, cover, uncover).

The above picture is of a frozen fountain in Verrado. Just wanted to provide proof that it is cold here, too!

Though, I'm so glad I don't live elsewhere. I've been watching the sub-zero temps in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Not some place I'd want to be right now.

Wordless Wednesday, February 3, 2011

The Book Slide

At long last, Christian has discovered he likes slides! So much, in fact, that he's created his very own indoor slide using a large, hardcover book. I'm not too sure how he figured out that leaning the book up against the couch would produce such a wonder.

But his Papa and Auntie are both engineers ... so this kind of thinking runs in the family! :)

Click to enlarge photos

Wordless Wednesday - January 26, 2011

Just a boy and his trains ...

The Next Time ...

The next time you feel like GOD can't use YOU, just remember ...

Noah was a drunk

Abraham was too old

Isaac was a daydreamer

Jacob was a liar

Leah was ugly

Joseph was abused

Moses had a stuttering problem

Gideon was afraid

Sampson had long hair and was a womanizer

Rahab was a prostitute

Jeremiah and Timothy were too young

David had an affair and was a murderer

Elijah was suicidal

Isaiah preached naked

Jonah ran from God

Naomi was a widow

Job went bankrupt

John the Baptist ate bugs

Peter denied Christ

The Disciples fell asleep while praying

Martha worried about everything

The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once

Zaccheus was too small

Paul was too religious

Timothy had an ulcer...

AND Lazarus was dead!


No more excuses now!! God can use you to your full potential.

Besides you aren't the message, you are just the messenger.

Wordless Wednesday - January 19, 2011

Christian the Sickie

Our poor little guy - he's had a rough week. He's had a persistent cough, and a fever Wednesday night. Yesterday he was okay, with the exception of the cough. Today, however, his school called me when he was lethargic and had a fever of 101.4.

When I arrived to get him, he was sitting in a chair in the director's office - and rather happy for feeling so lousy! She told me she offered him a tissue and he said with a chipper voice, "Yes, please!"

That's our boy ... chipper and polite even when feeling awful!

Hopefully he can get some good rest this weekend and get to feeling better. We are blessed that he is very rarely sick, and always recovers quickly.

Musical Muffin Monday - January 10, 2011

Our little lad is soooo bored in music class these days. Case-in-point: the below photo was taken in the middle of the class.

We visited the Natural History Museum of Arizona this weekend, and Christian is now the proud owner of a T-Rex he affectionately refers to as, "T-Rexie." So T-Rexie enjoyed his first muffin today.

Leavin' on a Jet Plane ...

The Merry Christmas post below was a bit ... well, it was a bit of a manipulation. It's not pictures of Christmas morning ... it's pictures of the afternoon of Christmas Eve. I scheduled the post to appear on our blog mid-morning on Christmas so we could secretly travel to Denver to visit our family.

Christian did remarkably well on our journey. He was great at the airport ... great on the plane (we planned ahead and bought a portable DVD player and he watched "The Polar Express." He did great on the terminal train at the Denver airport, great on the bus to the rental car.

More pics of our trip are coming up!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! May your day be blessed!

Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas Eve!

Have I ever mentioned I love living here in the Phoenix area? December ... and clear blue skies, lush green grass, and warm temps. The grass is doing so unexectedly well that Jonathan had to actually mow the lawn today. Last year, we didn't need to mow the lawn all winter.



We set out luminarias again this year. You can take the girl out of New Mexico, but you can't take New Mexico out of the girl. I simply MUST put out luminarias at Christmas!

My sister stopped by tonight with tamales for dinner - yum!

Zoo Monday - December 20, 2010

Jonathan had to work again today, so today was "Zoo Monday." There is a playground just inside to the zoo entrance, and if given the opportunity, Christian would have spent our entire zoo visit going down the slide (over and over again).

We got to see some birds and kangaroos before he started losing interest and just wanted to be carried around. He's much too big these days for me to carry him around like that, so we didn't get to see much of the zoo at all.

But that is oikay ... we went to the zoo to have fun. And he sure did have fun on the slide!

A Wonderful, Delightful, Happy Surprise!

If your husband unexpectedly asks what he can do to help out around the house, and then suggests, himself, that he clean the bathroom ... be suspicious.

If your husband reminds you to keep things picked up one morning, when normally he doesn't care ... be suspicious.

If your husband sends you an e-mail early in the day and tells you he'll be in meetings for the rest of the day, and unavailable ... be suspicious.

On Friday night, Christian's school had "Parent's Night Out." So Jonathan and I planned on dinner together at the nice restaurant in our community.

For my birthday on Thursday, Jonathan sent me this Birthday Gram. I thought the use of my high school logo was a bit odd. And wasn't sure why he included the image of two girls hugging each other.

Jonathan came home late Friday afternoon. I knew he had come inside ... and I was busy with Christian, who had just woken up and was in desperate need of a diaper change. The doorbell rang, and I went to answer it - surpirsed by two things 1) Jonathan didn't get the door himself and 2) Bella didn't bark.

I opened the door, and before me was my best friend since first grade, Valerie. I hadn't seen her in a year and half or so ... and I was just floored.

Turns out, she and Jonathan had been planning her arrival for weeks. WEEKS!

But her arrival wasn't the only surprise. The plan was for us go to the Westin Kierland Resort in Scottsdale for a spa day, dinner, overnight stay and movie in the room. It was like a dream come true!

Valerie and I had such a blast! We went shopping, ate a lot of sushi, got all caught up on eachother's lives ... and laughed and laughed. And we watched "Inception" in the hotel room.

Valerie also came bearing gifts: red chile (YES!!!), beautiful jewelry and socks for me, and a kite and a Kimochi for Christian.

It was an absolutely perfect weekend ... and the best birthday EVER! Many, many thanks to Jonathan and Valerie for this very special treat!